1864. Banwell Tower The high, three-stage tower, which is also known as the Banwell Monument or Banwell Pepperpot, was built in 1840 from local lias stone with some decoration in Bath stone. During World War II, it was used as a lookout tower by the Home Guard. By the 1960s it was in a poor state of repair and could no longer be seen above the growing treetops. Local conservation groups undertook conservation work, and it was reopened to the public in 1996. It is a Grade II listed building. See also Banwell Ochre Caves Caves of the Mendip Hills References External links Banwell Caves Heritage Group Mendip Cave Registry and Archive: Banwell Caves Bat roosts Caves of Somerset Limestone caves Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Avon Sites of Special Scientific Interest notified in 1963 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Somerset Wild caves